Wednesday, September 24, 2014

14 things Ansel Adams can teach you about photography.

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) is one
of the greatest photographers. His thoughts will help you to understand the art
of photography.

Here’s the list of my favorite
quotations from A. Adams:

1.“Not everybody
trusts paintings but people believe photographs”.

When you are shooting it will be good to remember these words. Now in the
era of PhotoShop you can modify the reality in a way you want. Sometimes it
will be useful for your creative idea. But… don’t overdo it or you’ll abuse of
your viewers’ confidence.

2.“You don't take a
photograph, you make it”.

You do not duplicate the subject (it doesn’t matter whether you capture
people or nature). You create it, you put your soul into your image and then
and only then a viewer will be touched and surprised…

3.“There are no
rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs”.

You should learn the rules and only then you could break them for some
reasons (if you want to receive some striking shots or want to experiment with
the points of interest you could break the rules).

4.“Twelve
significant photographs in any one year is a good crop”.

It’s very useful quotation. When you begin to worry that you have not so
many good photos, just remember these words. If even great Ansel Adams
considered 12 significant photographs per a year to be a good crop, you with
your idea of bad situation with your 10-20-30 good photos can take it easy.

5. “A true photograph
need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words”.

If people do not understand your image, maybe it’s better to try again to
shoot than to try to explain what did you mean…

6.“Photography is
more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art”.

To tell the truth, it’s the high aim – to create art with the help of your
camera…

7.“There is
nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept”.

The
technique skills in the photography are not on the first place. Imagination,
feelings, soul must be on the first place.

8.“There are
always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer”.

You do not
take photos for yourself (as a rule). And it’s a happy moment when the viewer
understands your image and enjoys it.

9.“Some photographers take reality...and impose
the domination of their own thought and spirit. Others come before reality
more tenderly and a photograph to them is an instrument of love and
revelation”.

It’s
impossible to say what is better, just try to be both.

10. “I am always
surprised when I see several cameras, a gaggle on lenses, filters, meters, et
cetera, rattling around in a soft bag with a complement of refuse and dust.
Sometimes the professional is the worst offender!”

Many a true word is spoken
in jest…

11. “A
photograph is not an accident – it is a concept”.

You heard that a photographer
must be in the right place in the right time… But even in the right place and
in the right time you will not have a great shot without a concept.

12. “I know
the importance of highly trained awareness of the "moment" and the
immediate and intuitive response of the photographer. It should be obvious to
all that photographers whose images possess character and quality have attained
them only by continued practice and total dedication to the medium”.

You need as much practice as
possible to improve your photography…

13. “A
photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into”.

It’s not easy to take photos
to be looked into… but you can set your heart on this aim.

14. “We don't
make a photograph just with a camera, we bring to the act of photography all
the books we have read, the movies we have seen, the music we have heard, the
people we have loved”.

Amazing words! Keep them in
mind when you are dreaming of great photos!